Self-closing, sliding door assembly



June 27., 1967 F TRULASKE 3,328,105

SELF-CLOSING, SLIDING DOOR ASSEMBLY Filed Oct. 22, 1965 FIG. 4

| :L 20 INVENTOR I M FRANK R. TRULASKE MMFmMiQ w QUQ Z ATTORNEYS UnitedStates Patent 3,328,105 SELF-CLOSIN G, SLIDING DOOR ASSEMBLY Frank R.Trulaske, Grafton, IlL, assignor to True Manufacturing Company, Inc.,St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Filed Oct. 22, 1965, Ser. No.500,872 12 Claims. (Cl. 312319) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Aself-closing, sliding door assembly in which a tube has a first endportion located above a counterweight and determining the point ofsuspension of the counterweight, and has a second end portion located inthe plane of the door, the counterweight being otfset inwardly of theplane of the door. A sash-line extends through thhe tube andinterconnects the door and counterweight, the tube and sashlinetranslating the gravitational pull of the counterweight into a forceapplied to the door tending to move the door to the closed limit.

This invention relates generally to improvements in a self-closing,sliding door assembly, and more particularly to the use of such anassembly in display cabinets, coolers and the like.

It has been heretofore conventional to hang the counterweight in linewith the direction of movement and in the plane of the door, thecounterweight being operatively connected to the door by a sash-linepassed over one or more fixed pulleys. Because this operating mechanismwas required to be hidden within the cabinet at the end of the door,this arrangement resulted in a cabinet having relatively thick sidewalls and resulted in a cabinet having a greater width than is desired.The present invention allows the counterweight to be placed to one sideof the door rather than at the end of the door, thereby providing a thinwall construction that is not only aesthetically pleasing, but reducesthe over-all width of the cabinet having a predetermined storagecapacity.

An important object is to eliminate pulleys from the counterweightsystem of a self-closing, sliding door assembly. A sash-line has adistinct tendency to slip off of individual pulleys, thereby renderingthe door temporarily inoperative.

Another important objective is achieved by the provision of a structuralarrangement in which the available cabinet storage area is moreefiectively utilized by having the counterweight hung along the side ofthe door rather than at the end of and in line with the door track. Thisarrangement has the advantage of allowing goods and material, stored inclose proximity to the side walls of the cabinet, to be pulled directlyfrom the cabinet instead of first having to be pulled clear of thecorner of the cabinet.

Yet another important object is attained by having the counterweighthung along the side of the door rather than at the end of the door trackso that the stored goods are rendered more clearly visible.

An important object is to provide a door-closing mechanism utilizing aminimum number of moving parts, thereby eliminating maintenanceproblems. Another important advantage is realized in that thecounterweight mechanism is easily accessible when the sash-line requiresreplacement.

Another important objective is alforded by the provision of meansslidably mounting the door for movement in a plane between open andclosed limits, and by means interconnecting the door with thecounterweight located to one side of the door so that the gravitationalpull of the 3,328,165 Patented June 27, 1967 counterweight is translatedinto a force applied to the door tending to move the door to the closedlimit.

Still another important objective is provided by a tube including afirst end portion extending generally in the direction of counterweightmovement and determining the point of suspension of the counterweight,and a second end portion extending along the top of and in the doorplane. The sash-line extends through the tube and interconnects the doorand counterweight.

An important object is achieved by the provision of a guide channelextending from a side wall of the cabinet, the channel slidablyreceiving the top of the door, and by the location of the tube adjacentthe side wall so that the tube extends through the guide channel todispose the second end portion in the channel above the top of the door.

Another important object is attained by the provision of an elongateenclosure on the side wall of the cabinet in which the counterweight isslidably moved and guided, and by the location of the first end portionof the tube in the counterweight enclosure, the tube having a transverseportion extending between and interconnecting the first and second endportions and bridging the counterweight enclosure and guide channel.

It is an important object to provide a guide for a counterweightsash-line, as an article of manufacture, which includes a double-bendtube having laterally spaced end portions interconnected by a transverseportion. An advantage is provided by constructing the elongate spacedend portions with flared extremities and by mounting the tube to abracket.

An important object is to provide a self-closing door assembly that issimple and durable in construction, economical to manufacture andassemble, highly efi'icient in operation, and which is fully automatic.

The foregoing and numerous other objects and advantages of the inventionwill more clearly appear from the following detailed description of apreferred embodiment, particularly when considered in connection withthe accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a display cabinet, andparticularly a beverage cooler;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary cross-section taken along line 2-2 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 ofFIG. 2, illustrating a front interior corner, and

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the door and counterweight assembly, asseen from the inside of the cabinet.

Referring now by characters of reference to the drawing, and first toFIG. 1, it will be understood that the particular type of self-closing,sliding door assembly is suitable for display cabinets, coolers andstorage cabinets. The cabinet generally indicated by 10 in FIG. 1 has anopening defined by ceiling 11, floor 12 (FIG. 2), and by a pair oflaterally opposed side walls 13 one of which is shown in FIG. 3. A pairof slidably mounted doors 14 and 15 are slidably mounted to provide aclosure for the cabinet opening.

Mounted on the cabinet floor 12 and extending between the side walls 13is an elongate double-channel guide track 16. Each channel 17 and 20'contains a plurality of rollers 21. A compatible and coactingdouble-channel track 22 is mounted to the ceiling 11 and extends betweenthe opposed cabinet side walls 13. The channels 23 and 24 of the ceilingtrack 22 are aligned vertically above the cooperating channels 17 and 20respectively of floor track 16.

A door 14 is slidably mounted in the vertically aligned guide channels17 and 23, the channel 17 embracing the door bottom and the channel 23embracing the door top. The bottom of door 14 seats on rollers 21.Similarly, channel 20 embraces the bottom of door while channel 24embraces the top of such door 15. The bottom of door 15 seats on rollers21.

The cooperating pair of doors 14 and 15 are located vertically inside-by-side parallel planes. Each door 14 or 15 is adapted to closesubstantially one-half of the cabinet opening. When both doors 14 and 15are closed, the entire cabinet opening is enclosed as shown in FIG. 1.Each of the doors 14 or 15 is independently movable horizontally in avertical plane along its own guide channels 17-23 and 20-24 respectivelyto either an open or a closed limit.

A counterweight assembly is associated with each of the doors 14 and 15.Because the counterweight assemblies are substantially identical inconstruction, a detailed description of one will suflice for the otherand corresponding reference numbers will be utilized wherever possiblefor clarity.

An elongate enclosure is fixed to the side wall 13, the enclosure 25extending substantially vertical from the floor 12 substantially to theceiling 11, and is disposed just inside of the double-channel floor andceiling tracks 16 and 22 and closedly adjacent the side of theassociated door 14. The elongate enclosure 25 is open at its top as isbest shown in FIG. 2. Reciprocatively and slidably mounted in theelongate enclosure 25 is an elongate counterwieght 26 having an eyefastener 27 at its top.

Means is provided to interconnect the door 14 and counterweight 26 totranslate the gravitational pull of the counterweight '26 into a forceapplied to the door 14 tending to move the door 14 to the closed limit.This means includes a bracket 30 fixed to the side wall 13 and locatedwithin the open top of elongate enclosure 25. A double-bend tubegenerally indicated by 31 is fixed to the bracket 30 as by welding orthe like. The tube 31 includes an elongate end portion 32 extendingvertically above the counterweight 26- in the elongate enclosure 25, theend portion 32 determining the point of suspension of the counterweight26. The tube 31 includes another elongate end portion 33 located in thechannel 23 above the top of door 14, and extending generally in the doorplane in the direction of door movement. An integral, continuoustransverse tube portion 34 extends between and interconnects the endportions 32 and 33 by gradual bends. Specifically, the transverse tubeportion 34 extends between and bridges the counterweight enclosure 25and the channel 23. The transverse tube portion 34 extends through asmall slot 35 formed in the innermost flange 36 of channel 23, and issupported by such flange 36.

A sash-line 37 extends through the tube 31, one end of sash-line 37extending over the top of door 14 and fixed to the rear side of the door14 by ascrew 40. The other end of sash-line 37 extends downwardly intothe enclosure 25 for attachment to the counterweight eye fastener 27.

When the door 14 is in its closed limit, as is illustrated in FIGS. 1and 2, the counterweight 26 is located in its lowermost position withinthe enclosure 25. When the door 14 is moved from the closed limit towardthe open limit, the sash-line 37 is pulled through the tube 31 to raisethe counterweight 26. When the door 14 is released, the gravitationalpull of the counterweight 26, acting through the sash-line 37, will pullthe door 14 back to the closed limit.

The extremities 32 and 33 of tube 31 are flared to avoid abrading of thesash-line 37.

The configuration of tube 31 is such that the sash-line 37 extendsvertically upward from counterweight 26 parallel to the door 14, isturned through 90 degrees to become perpendicular to the door 14, andthen turned through a further 90 degrees to become substantially in linewith the top of door 14 and in the door plane. The tube portion 32points downwardly into the counterweight enclosure 25 substantially awayfrom the ceiling 11, while the end portion 33 points inwardly of thecabinet away from side wall 13.

It will be observed that the counterweight assembly associated with door15 is the same as that associated with door 14 except that theintermediate transverse portion 41 (FIG. 4) of tube generally indicatedby 42 is longer than that of the corresponding transverse portion 34 oftube 31 by an amount equal to the distance between center to center ofdoors 14 and 15 in order that the counterweights 26 of the respectivecounterweight systems may be symmetrically arranged within the interiorof the cabinet.

It will be understood that the intermediate transverse tube portion 41of tube 42 is supported in a manner similar to that of the transversetube portion 34 of tube 31. This support is achieved by slotting boththe innermost and the center flanges 36 and 43 of the double-channelceiling track 22 at the adjacent end of track 22 so that the transversetube portion 41 can be inserted through the innermost channel 23 andinto the outermost channel 24 for location of the end portion 44 in thechannel 24 above the top of door 15 and in the door plane. Thetransverse tube portion 41 is supported by the channel flanges 36 and43.

The operative connection of door 15 to its associated counterweight 26by sash-line 37 extending through the double-bend tube 42, theoperation, and the functional results achieved are identical with thecounterweight assembly associated with door 14 described previously indetail.

It is thought that the functional advantages of this self-closing,sliding door assembly have become fully apparent from the foregoingdetailed description of parts, but for completeness of disclosure, theinstallation and operation will be briefly described.

The self-closing, sliding door assembly is comprised essentially of adoor riding in a track for movement between open and closed limits, thedoor being opened against the action of a counterweight attached to thedoor by a sash-line, and the sash-line being guided and supported by ameans that enables the counterweight to be suspended and located alongthe side of the door rather than at its end.

As is generally indicated in FIG. 4, the downward pull exerted by eachof the counterweights 26 is translated by an associated sash-line 37through the double-bend tubes 31 or 42 into a substantially horizontalpull applied at the upper innermost corner of associated door 14 or 15respectively where the sash-line 37 is connected by screw 40.

Referring to door 14 and its counterweight assembly, the gravitationalpull exerted by the counterweight 26 causes a constant force to beexerted on the door 14 tending to move the door toward the closed limitin which the end of the door 14 engages the cabinet side wall 13, as isshown in FIG. 3. To open the door 14, a manual push is exerted againstthe door 14 to overcome the gravitational force exerted by thecounterweight 26. The door 14 glides on rollers 21 along its associatedtrack channels 17 and 23 to its open limit. When the manual forceapplied to the door 14 is released, the constant force exerted by thegravitational pull of counterweight 26 returns the door 14 to its closedlimit. While the door 14 moves between the open and closed limits, itwill be understood that the sash-line 37 is passing back and forth inthe double-bend tube 31 as the counterweight 26 is alternately raised orlowered within the elongate enclosure 25.

The tube 31 is, of course, stationary because it is rigidly attached towall bracket 30, and wall bracket 30 is, in turn, securely connected byscrews or other suitable means to side wall 13. Furthermore, asillustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the intermediate transverse tube portion34 is prevented from bending under the pull applied to it by the actionof the sash-line 37 by the support of track flange 36.

Interference of the counterweight 26 with goods stored 12115 the cabinetis prevented by the elongate enclosure The procedure and mode ofoperation described above applies also to door when, as indicated in thepresent embodiment, double doors are provided.

Although the invention has been described by making detailed referenceto a single preferred embodiment, such detail is to be understood in aninstructive, rather than in any restrictive sense many variations beingpossible within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a self-closing, sliding door assembly:

(a) a door,

(b) means slidably mounting the door for movement in a plane betweenopen and closed limits,

(c) a counterweight offset laterally to the plane of the door,

(d) a tube including a first end portion extending generally in thedirection of counterweight movement, and

(e) a second end portion extending generally in the plane of the door,and

(f) a sash-line extending through the tube and inter connecting the doorand counterweight, the tube and sash-line translating the gravitationalpull of the counterweight into a force applied to the door tending tomove the door to the closed limit.

2. In a self-closing, sliding door assembly:

(a) a door, V

(b) means slidably mounting the door for movement in a plane betweenopen and closed limits,

(c) a counterweight offset laterally to the plane of the door,

(d) a continuous, double-bend tube including a first end portionextending generally in the direction of counterweight movement,

(e) a second end portion extending generally in the door plane, and

(f) a transverse portion extending between the first and second endportions, and

(g) a sash-line extending through the tube and inter connecting the doorand counterweight, the tube and sash-line translating the gravitationalpull of the counterweight into a force applied to the door tending tomove the door to the closed limit.

3. In a self-closing, sliding door assembly:

(a) a cabinet,

(b) a door for the cabinet,

(c) means slidably mounting the door for substantially horizontalmovement in a plane between open and closed limits,

(d) a counterweight ofiset laterally to the plane of the door,

(e) a tube mounted in the cabinet inside the door,

(f) the tube including a first end portion extending substantiallyvertical in alignment with the counter weight,

(g) a second end portion extending generally in the door plane, and

(h) a transverse portion extending between the first and second endportions, and

(i) a sash-line extending through the tube and interconnecting the doorand counterweight, the tube and sash-line translating the gravitationalpull of the counterweight into a force applied to the door tending tomove the door to the closed limit.

4. In a self-closing, sliding door assembly:

(a) a door,

(b) means slidably mounting the door for movement in a plane betweenopen and closed limits,

(0) a counterweight offset laterally to the plane of the door,

(d) a tube including a first end portion extending above claim 4, inwhich:

(g) the first and second end portions, each includes a flared end onwhich the sash-line bears.

6. In a self-closing, sliding door assembly:

(a) a cabinet including a side wall,

(b) a door for the cabinet,

(c) means slidably mounting the door for movement in a plane betweenopen and closed limits,

(d) a counterweight offset inwardly of the door,

(e) a tube fixed in the cabinet,

(f) the tube including a first end portion above the counterweight anddetermining the point of suspension of the counterweight, and

(g) a second end portion located adjacent the top and in the plane ofthe door, and

(h) a sash-line extending through the tube and interconnecting the doorand counterweight, the tube and sash-line translating the gravitationalpull of the counterweight into a force applied to the door tending tomove the door to the closed limit.

7. A self-closing, sliding door assembly as defined in claim 6, inwhich:

(i) a guide channel extends from the side wall and slidably receives thetop of the door,

(j) the tube extends into the channel, and

(k) the second end portion of the tube is located in the channel alongthe top of the door.

8. In a self-closing, sliding door assembly:

(a) a cabinet including a side wall,

(b) a door for the cabinet,

(0) a guide channel extending from the side wall and slidably receivingthe top of the door, the guide channel mounting the door for movement ina plane between open and closed limits,

(d) a counterweight in the cabinet located laterally inside the door forvertical movement,

(e) a continuous double-bend tube in the cabinet,

(f) the tube including a vertical first end portion above thecounterweight and determining the point of suspension of thecounterweight,

(g) a substantially horizontal second end portion disposed in thechannel along the top of the door, and

(h) a continuous transverse tube portion extending between the first andsecond end portions, and extending into the channel, and

(i) a sash-line extending through the tube and interconnecting the doorand counterweight, the tube and sash-line translating the gravitationalpull of the counterweight into a force applied to the door tending tomove the door to the closed limit.

9. In a self-closing, sliding door assembly:

(a) a cabinet including a side wall,

(b) a door for the cabinet,

(c) means slidably mounting the door for movement in a plane betweenopen and closed limits,

(d) an elongate enclosure on the side wall inside of the door,

(e) a counterweight movably located in the enclosure,

(f) a tube including a first end portion in the counterweight enclosureand determining the point of suspension of the counterweight, and

(g) a second end portion extending along the top and in the plane of thedoor, and

(h) a sash-line extending through the tube and interconnecting the doorand counterweight, the tube and sash-line translating the gravitationalpull of the counterweight into a force applied to the door tending tomove the door to the closed limit.

10. In a self-closing, sliding door assembly as defined in claim 9, inwhich:

(i) the means slidably mounting the door includes a guide channelextending from the side wall and slidably receiving the top of the door,

(j) the counterweight enclosure is inside the cabinet laterally adjacentthe guide channel, and

(k) the second end portion is disposed in the guide channel above thetop and in the plane of the door.

11. A self-closing, sliding door assembly as defined in claim 10, inwhich:

(1) a bracket is secured to the side wall and is located in thecounterweight enclosure,

(m) the tube is fixed to the bracket, and

(n) the tube includes a transverse tube portion extending between andinterconnecting the first and second end portions, the transverse tubeportion bridging the counterweight enclosure and the guide channel.

12. In a self-closing, sliding door assembly:

(a) a cabinet having an opening,

(b) an internal side wall partially defining the opening,

() a guide channel extending from the side wall transversely of theopening,

(d) a door for the Opening, the door having its top slidably mounted inthe guide channel for horizontal movement in a plane between open andclosed limits,

(e) an elongate, substantially vertical enclosure on the side wallinside of the door,

(f) a counterweight movably mounted in the elongate enclosure,

(g) a bracket fixed to the side wall in the counterweight enclosure,

(h) a tube fixed to the bracket including a substantially vertical firstend portion in the counterweight enclosure determining the point ofsuspension of the counterweight,

(i) a substantially horizontal second end portion in the guide channelabove the top and in the plane of the door, and

(j) a transverse portion extending between and interconnecting the firstand second end portions, the transverse tube portion bridging thecounterweight enclosure and the guide channel, and

(k) a sash-line extending through the tube and interconnecting the doorand counterweight, the tube and sash-line translating the gravitationalpull of the counterweight into a force applied to the door tending tomove the door to the closed limit.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 180,706 8/1876 Dillaby 49-123847,122 3/1907 Sheldon 312-138 1,163,760 12/1915 Klos 492r73 X 2,334,90811/1943 Crane 254190 2,580,889 1/1952 Carlson 254135 ROY D. FRAZIER,Primary Examiner.

F. DOMOTOR, Assistant Examiner.

1. IN A SELF-CLOSING, SLIDING DOOR ASSEMBLY: (A) A DOOR, (B) MEANSSLIDABLY MOUNTING THE DOOR FOR MOVEMENT IN A PLANE BETWEEN OPEN ANDCLOSED LIMITS, (C) A COUNTERWEIGHT OFFSET LATERALLY TO THE PLANE OF THEDOOR, (D) A TUBE INCLUDING A FIRST END PORTION EXTENDING GENERALLY INTHE DIRECTION OF COUNTERWEIGHT MOVEMENT, AND